3/16 as decimal
Understand the Problem
The question is asking us to convert the fraction 3/16 into its decimal equivalent. This will be done by dividing the numerator (3) by the denominator (16).
Answer
0.1875
Answer for screen readers
The decimal equivalent of 3/16 is 0.1875.
Steps to Solve
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Set up division
To convert a fraction to a decimal, we need to divide the numerator by the denominator. In this case, we'll divide 3 by 16.
$3 \div 16 = ?$
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Perform long division
Let's perform long division:
$$ \begin{array}{r} 0.1875\ 16 \enclose{longdiv}{3.0000}\ \underline{2.8}\ 0.20\ \underline{0.16}\ 0.040\ \underline{0.032}\ 0.0080\ \underline{0.0080}\ 0.0000 \end{array} $$
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Interpret the result
The division results in 0.1875, which is a terminating decimal. This means 3/16 = 0.1875 exactly.
The decimal equivalent of 3/16 is 0.1875.
More Information
The fraction 3/16 is commonly used in measurements, especially in imperial units. For example, 3/16 of an inch is a standard size for some tools and fasteners.
Tips
A common mistake is to round the result prematurely. In this case, some might round to 0.188 or even 0.19, which is not as precise as the exact value 0.1875. Always carry out the division to several decimal places to ensure accuracy.
